Government Shutdown - Sep 2025 Thread

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pay for government employees who work during a shutdown; no pay for employees who don't work.

I am a liberal democrat, and can someone please explain why this shouldn't be the policy?

Because feds want to work and are unable to continue working?

Another point is that I have to do the same amount of work whether there's a shutdown or not. I just have to work harder and longer hours when work reopens. My cases don't go away magically when there's a shutdown.

"But I want to work" is not a justification for getting paid when not working. When private sector employees are furloughed, they still want to work, but can't.

Also, federal employees, particularly lawyers, aren't paid on a piece rate system. They're paid for the time they are working. That's why when things are slow you get paid the same as when things are busy.

It troubles me that federal attorneys don't understand both of those points.

Where did you get that? Do you think PP is a fed atty?

"My cases don't go away magically when there's a shutdown."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pay for government employees who work during a shutdown; no pay for employees who don't work.

I am a liberal democrat, and can someone please explain why this shouldn't be the policy?

Because Congress passed a law saying that’s not how this works. And we aspire to live under the rule of law.

Sure - that's why I asked what the policy *should* be, not what it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://federalnewsnetwork.com/congress/2025/09/white-house-seeks-stopgap-bill-through-jan-31-to-avoid-government-shutdown/

to me, this does not signal shut down

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pay for government employees who work during a shutdown; no pay for employees who don't work.

I am a liberal democrat, and can someone please explain why this shouldn't be the policy?

If I'm not going to get backpay, then I should be free to work anywhere during the shutdown regardless of conflicts of interest.
I'm either an employee or I'm not: you don't get to hold me to employee restrictions while not paying me.

I agree with that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pay for government employees who work during a shutdown; no pay for employees who don't work.

I am a liberal democrat, and can someone please explain why this shouldn't be the policy?

Because feds want to work and are unable to continue working?

Another point is that I have to do the same amount of work whether there's a shutdown or not. I just have to work harder and longer hours when work reopens. My cases don't go away magically when there's a shutdown.

"But I want to work" is not a justification for getting paid when not working. When private sector employees are furloughed, they still want to work, but can't.

Also, federal employees, particularly lawyers, aren't paid on a piece rate system. They're paid for the time they are working. That's why when things are slow you get paid the same as when things are busy.

It troubles me that federal attorneys don't understand both of those points.

I mean there’s literally a law that says we get paid, and before that, Congress would put retroactive pay into the budget. So this federal attorney feels quite solid about the interpretation!

Sigh. Yes - again, that's why I asked what the policy should be.

You're really doubling down on the "federal attorneys aren't the brightest bulbs," aren't you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pay for government employees who work during a shutdown; no pay for employees who don't work.

I am a liberal democrat, and can someone please explain why this shouldn't be the policy?

Because I'm not allowed to go out and get other work while we're furloughed. I can't substitute teach or doordash or work at 7/11. I can't have outside employment.
So yes, I'd like my paycheck when I come back.

Also, it’s not like it’s laying off or furloughing a select / small group. At my agency it’s pretty much everyone and many of us have specialized skills. It’s expensive to interview, hire and train so not a good idea to lose large portions of your workforce by refusing to pay them for undetermined amounts of time for reasons that have nothing to do with agency strategic plan, mission needs, etc.

Your first point, re not being able to work, is a good one.

The second is not. First, no one is indispensable. Second, the likelihood of en masse resignations is pretty low.

[Anonymous]

Trump asked for a CR. Congress follows his orders. There will be a CR.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Trump asked for a CR. Congress follows his orders. There will be a CR.[/quotn
No shutdown.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pay for government employees who work during a shutdown; no pay for employees who don't work.

I am a liberal democrat, and can someone please explain why this shouldn't be the policy?

Because Congress passed a law saying that’s not how this works. And we aspire to live under the rule of law.

Sure - that's why I asked what the policy *should* be, not what it is.

The policy should be that we get paid. Any other questions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pay for government employees who work during a shutdown; no pay for employees who don't work.

I am a liberal democrat, and can someone please explain why this shouldn't be the policy?

Because feds want to work and are unable to continue working?

Another point is that I have to do the same amount of work whether there's a shutdown or not. I just have to work harder and longer hours when work reopens. My cases don't go away magically when there's a shutdown.

"But I want to work" is not a justification for getting paid when not working. When private sector employees are furloughed, they still want to work, but can't.

Also, federal employees, particularly lawyers, aren't paid on a piece rate system. They're paid for the time they are working. That's why when things are slow you get paid the same as when things are busy.

It troubles me that federal attorneys don't understand both of those points.

I mean there’s literally a law that says we get paid, and before that, Congress would put retroactive pay into the budget. So this federal attorney feels quite solid about the interpretation!

Sigh. Yes - again, that's why I asked what the policy should be.

You're really doubling down on the "federal attorneys aren't the brightest bulbs," aren't you?

I’m an attorney so as far as my professional bona fides go, the question begins and ends with what the law is. The law says I get paid. Not sure why you think this is some kind of great argument. I interpret the law, not engage with trolls on ill informed policy debates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pay for government employees who work during a shutdown; no pay for employees who don't work.

I am a liberal democrat, and can someone please explain why this shouldn't be the policy?

Because I'm not allowed to go out and get other work while we're furloughed. I can't substitute teach or doordash or work at 7/11. I can't have outside employment.
So yes, I'd like my paycheck when I come back.

Also, it’s not like it’s laying off or furloughing a select / small group. At my agency it’s pretty much everyone and many of us have specialized skills. It’s expensive to interview, hire and train so not a good idea to lose large portions of your workforce by refusing to pay them for undetermined amounts of time for reasons that have nothing to do with agency strategic plan, mission needs, etc.

Your first point, re not being able to work, is a good one.

The second is not. First, no one is indispensable. Second, the likelihood of en masse resignations is pretty low.

DP. En masse resignation at the first shut down without pay? You’re right. Most people can’t up and quit their jobs on short notice. But will these people with specialized skills immediately start applying elsewhere until they land something more stable? Of course. Over the long term, having year of year anxiety over getting a paycheck is every fall because of politics will have an effect on recruitment and retention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Trump asked for a CR. Congress follows his orders. There will be a CR.

This

What trumps wants Johnson kneels to his master

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pay for government employees who work during a shutdown; no pay for employees who don't work.

I am a liberal democrat, and can someone please explain why this shouldn't be the policy?

I’d be fine with that if the rule was changed so that it was the employees choice whether to come to the office. The issue is that the employees are forbidden to show up

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pay for government employees who work during a shutdown; no pay for employees who don't work.

I am a liberal democrat, and can someone please explain why this shouldn't be the policy?

Because I'm not allowed to go out and get other work while we're furloughed. I can't substitute teach or doordash or work at 7/11. I can't have outside employment.
So yes, I'd like my paycheck when I come back.

Well, that’s just wrong. If you want a second job at 7-11 or door dash you can do that. What’s restricted are jobs in conflict with your federal duties. There’s lots to discuss on this issue without introducing silliness

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pay for government employees who work during a shutdown; no pay for employees who don't work.

I am a liberal democrat, and can someone please explain why this shouldn't be the policy?

Because I'm not allowed to go out and get other work while we're furloughed. I can't substitute teach or doordash or work at 7/11. I can't have outside employment.
So yes, I'd like my paycheck when I come back.

Well, that’s just wrong. If you want a second job at 7-11 or door dash you can do that. What’s restricted are jobs in conflict with your federal duties. There’s lots to discuss on this issue without introducing silliness

I don’t know about everyone else, but at my agency we have to get specific ethics approval for any job outside of federal employment (even Door Dash). So we would have to go through the process to get approval before the shutdown happens.